Dublin Tech Summit to Host Startup World Cup in May 2025

Collaboration is at the heart of Dublin Tech Summit (DTS), and this year’s tech festival promises to be more exciting and transformative than ever!

Are you a tech startup or scale-up looking for the opportunity of a lifetime for your business? Dublin Tech Summit (DTS) has exciting news for you with our ACCELERATE programme,  dedicated to startups, scale-ups, and international investors.

DTS will be proudly partnering with Startup World Cup once again, the largest international pitch competition, featuring over 50 regional competitions worldwide. This collaboration offers keen tech entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their innovative ideas and businesses for a shot at winning a remarkable $1 million investment.

What is the Startup World Cup?

The Startup World Cup is a prestigious international pitch competition that draws innovators, tech enthusiasts, and venture capitalists from around the globe. With its extensive network of regional competitions, this event provides a platform for startups to shine and potentially secure substantial funding. Dublin Tech Summit is honored to be hosting the regional pitch competition for the Startup World Cup, providing an opportunity for international companies participating in the ACCELERATE programme to showcase their talents.

The Road to San Francisco: Pitch for $1 Million Investment

Here’s how you can participate in this incredible opportunity:

1. Submit a form on the ACCELERATE page: To join the race for the $1 million investment, you’ll need to be part of the ACCELERATE programme at DTS25. Secure your Startup Package to get started on your journey. Your company can be at any stage of development: pre-seed, seed, startup, scale-up. Note that you must be a legal entity, however, it can’t just be an idea.

2. Submit Your 90-Second Pitch Video: Prepare a compelling 90-second pitch video showcasing your startup or scale-up’s innovation and potential. This video will be your chance to make a lasting impression on the judges and the top 50 submissions will go on to compete on the pitch stage at DTS25. Submission instructions will be provided after your signup to the ACCELERATE programme.

3. Compete in the Live Knockout Rounds: The top 50 finalists from the submitted pitch videos to compete in the live knockout rounds at DTS25 on Day 1 of the summit. This is where your pitch skills will be put to the test in front of a panel of VC judges. The winners of each knockout round will go on to compete against each other on Day 2 of the summit.

4. Dublin Winner Heads to San Francisco Grand Finale: The winner of the DTS pitch competition will earn the privilege of representing Dublin and competing against other regional champions at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco, scheduled for October 17th 2025. The overall champion will receive a remarkable $1 million dollar investment – a game-changer for any startup or scale-up. Top VC judges and investors from around the world will be in attendance. (Travel expenses are to be covered by the startup.)

ACCELERATE Programme: Your Gateway to Innovation and Investment

Dublin Tech Summit’s ACCELERATE programme isn’t just about the competition; it’s a comprehensive platform for startups, scale-ups, and international investors to connect, learn, and grow. As a participant, you’ll gain access to:

• A dynamic platform to exhibit your innovative business and ideas.
• A tailor-made programme featuring startup and scale-up-focused content.
• Dedicated social and networking events exclusively for ACCELERATE participants.

Join us at DTS25 to network and engage with potential clients, industry partners, venture capitalists, and private equity investors who can propel your company to the next level of growth. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to be part of Dublin Tech Summit’s ACCELERATE programme and compete for a $1 million investment in the Startup World Cup Grand Finale.

Seize the moment, embrace innovation, and take your tech startup or scale-up to new heights with Dublin Tech Summit!